The U.S. Forest Service will conduct prescribed burns– as weather conditions allow– on parts of the Fort Pierre National Grassland this spring. The targeted areas are: Sheriff Dam Recreation Site (Jones County, off 227th Street) Kennedy Wildlife Area, a.k.a. Hwy 83 Triangle (Lyman County, adjac ent to US Highway 83) The purpose of the prescribed burns is to reduce wildfire potential from overgrown vegetation and to help protect local communities, infrastructure and natural resources. The burn areas may be closed to the public for several days for safety reasons. People should watch for closure warning signs along roads near all prescribed fire areas. Ignition will only occur if suitable weather and sufficient personnel are present and burns would be completed according to the relevant burn plan. Area residents can stay informed about the scheduled prescribed fires through the Forest Service Fort Pierre National Grassland website and social media channels, as well as through the interagency incident information system known as InciWeb If you encounter the smoke while driving, slow down and turn on your headlights. Anyone with questions about air quality should go to https://fire.airnow.gov/. Anyone with questions about the prescribed burns, may contact the Fort Pierre Ranger District at 605-224-5517. ...read more read less